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This information is provided as a service to teachers by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission. This area contains lessons, activities, information, and resources suitable for classroom use. Some lessons are general, while others are specific to this area. If you are not in Mecklenburg County, you may still find the local history information adaptable for your area. Resources that are specific to Mecklenburg County are noted below with a star.

See the North Carolina Standard Course of Study

Why study local history?

Resources now available:

A Brief History of Mecklenburg County: Part I - Settlement
A Brief History of Mecklenburg County: Part II - Ante-bellum Period
A Brief History of Mecklenburg County: Part III - Reconstruction Era
A Brief History of Mecklenburg County: Part IV - Industrialization
A Brief History of Mecklenburg County: Part V - Modern Era
Activity Guides for Uptown Walking Tour Historic Sites (Index)
Black History Month Guide
Black History in Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Index to Illustrated Guidebook
Architectural Concept Lessons & Units

Teaching about...	See these areas...	Field trip possibilities...	Project ideas...
Neighborhoods & Communities	Neighborhood Guides Neighborhood Walking Tours Driving Tours New South Neighborhood Essays	Neighborhood walking tours or neighborhood/regional bus tours. Note: There are 3 uptown walking tour routes. Each has student activities included. Better readers in elementary classes may be assigned the New South Neighborhood Essays to read.	See uptown walking tour activities for ideas.
Streetcars	Essay on Streetcars Photo Gallery of Streetcars #1 Photo Gallery of Streetcars #2 Survey & Research Report: Charlotte Trolleys	A ride on the trolley. Right now, the trolley route begins at the South End. An uptown trolley route is envisioned for the not-too-distant future. See the virtual tour of the trolley route.	A descriptive writing paper or other writing assignment. See this sample...
Lifestyles of the Past	Survey & Research Report: Cedar Grove & Hugh Torance Store Photo Gallery: The Textile Industry Photo Gallery: Elizabeth College Photo Gallery: Local Advertising in 1907 Photo Gallery: Mecklenburg County Transportation	The Hugh Torance House & Store is open to the public for tours. Cedar Grove is not open to tours. Other possibilities include Latta Place and the Hezekiah Alexander Homesite.
Charlotte's Past	Photo Gallery: Charlotte's Evolving Skyline Photo Gallery: Early Charlotte Banks Photo Gallery: Early Charlotte Manufacturers Photo Gallery: Images of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Origins Local History Guide Cotton Mill History Guide	Neighborhood walking tours or neighborhood/regional bus tours. Note: There are 3 uptown walking tour routes. Each has student activities included. A trolley route tour may also be a possibility.	See uptown walking tour activities for ideas. Also, consider having students use the photo gallery on the Charlotte skyline to write about how Charlotte has changed over time and compare Charlotte at the end of the 20th century with Charlotte at the beginning of it. Have students note what elements of Charlotte has stayed the same and what elements have changed in that time.

This site was developed using a Macintosh Performa 6290 by Bruce Schulman. This site is maintained for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission by Bruce R. Schulman.